SU at Virginia Preview

By Gary Hill

Seattle U (1-0, 0-0 WAC) at Virginia Cavaliers (1-2, 0-0 ACC)

John Paul Jones Arena (Charlottesville, VA)

Saturday November 17, 2012 1:00 pm

RADIO: 770 KTTH

Series- 1-1

Last Meeting- December 21, 2011- Virginia 83-77

Scouting Virginia:

Virginia started fast a year ago (10-1) and rode the wave all the way to the NCAA Tournament. The Cavaliers were bounced in the first round by Florida 71-45. Virginia saw improvement for the third straight year under Tony Bennett finishing last season with a 22-10 record overall and 9-7 in ACC play. However, the Cavaliers are expected to take a step back as they try to replace one of the best players in school history. Mike Scott averaged 18 points and 8 rebounds a game last year and torched Seattle u at Key Arena for 33 and 14. He was runner-up ACC Player of the Year. Virginia’s depth will be tested after a handful of transfers the last couple of seasons. They are also dealing with injuries at the point to start the year which has knocked out the top two on the depth chart. They are coming off a surprising loss to Delaware at home in the preseason NIT. The Blue Hens had not beaten Virginia since 1962.

The Ones to Watch:

Joe Harris- 6’6 211 JR G- 18 ppg 6 rbds 2 assts

The Chelan, WA product is the leading returning scorer for Virginia. He will be asked to shoulder the bulk of the scoring load this season and so far he has obliged. He is averaging 12 points a game more than 2nd most on the club. The sharp-shooter can score from anywhere on the floor and is hitting 43% of his threes so far this year.

Jontel Evans- 5’11 188 SR G- 0 ppg 1 rbds 0 assts

Evans has been slowed by injury this season and has only played three minutes. The starting point guard has played in 95 games at Virginia and started 70. His leadership has been sorely missed by the Cavaliers so far this season. He averaged 7 points and 4 assists a game last season, but his calling card is defense. He was placed on the 2012 ACC All-Defensive Team a year ago. His availability remains a question going into Saturday and could have a major impact on the outcome.

Keys to the Game:

1- The battle of wills- Slow vs Fast. Virginia averaged 49 field goal attempts a year ago which was 10th in the ACC. SU took 70 shots in their first game. Seattle U wants to win the pace battle.

2- Slow down Harris. He is a major scoring threat and will have the ball in his hands a great deal with Virginia short-handed at the point. The Cavaliers have struggled to score this season and slowing Harris down would put even more pressure on an unsure offense.

3- Points from the backcourt- Carter and Pickett combined for 10 points in game one of the season. The duo will need to be score the basketball for SU to upset Virginia again. Carter led SU to the win two years ago with 19 points including 4 threes.

By the Numbers:

– 62- The number of points Virginia scored on average last season.

– 54- The number of points Virginia allowed on average last season.

– 77- The most points in a game the Cavaliers allowed in a game last year and it was against SU. Maryland scored 72, Florida scored 71 and North Carolina posted 70 points.

– 18- The number of points Carter in averaging in 2 career games against Virginia

– 8- The number of threes Carter has hit versus the Cavs.

– 18- NCAA head coached who played in the NBA. Tony Bennett is one of them.

– 2- The number of freshman Virginia started in their last game.

– 1- NBA All-Stars the Virginia basketball program has produced- Ralph Sampson.

– 3- The number of former Virginia players who played in Seattle for the SuperSonics- Wally Walker, Olden Polynice and John Crotty.

– 3- Times Bennett has guided his teams to the NCAA Tournament in 6 games.

Seattle U will look to take down Virginia once again at 1:00pm on 770 KTTH. Follow me on twitter @garyhilljr